How to properly clean and maintain your air conditioning?

It is imperative to maintain your air conditioning system regularly. Not only do you optimize its efficiency but you also protect yourself from health problems that may arise from poor air quality. Moreover, by maintaining your HVAC equipment, you increase its lifespan, and decrease the likelihood of a system breakdown. The benefits of maintenance are many, and in this guide we’ll walk you on how to clean your air conditioner yourself, and further emphasize the importance of maintenance.

Clean your air conditioning

Ensuring the proper functioning of an air conditioning is to clean the air filters. This way, you eliminate dust and other particles that could be harmful to your health. The operation is to be carried out every 15 days (during the period of regular use).

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Turn off and unplug the air conditioning.
2. Open the trunk (the front of the device) by lifting the front panel.
3. Remove the air filters from their base by unclipping them.
4. Gently pat over a trash can.
5. Remove dust lint by hand.
6. Vacuum the grates with a narrow mouth vacuum.
7. Use a sponge soaked in lukewarm water and regular soap.
8. Rinse with clean water.
9. Leave to air dry.
10. Put the filters back in the air conditioning.

You can also replace the activated carbon filter yourself. This maintenance is carried out once or twice a year to fight against bad odors. If the filter is still in perfect condition, a simple cleaning might suffice.

To do this, you will first need to identify the activated carbon filters that may be located between the air filters and the mouths of the exhaust pipes. Press the retaining rivets to release the carbon filters. Put them in the dishwasher or simply clean them in lukewarm water, without using soap. Dry for 10 minutes in the oven at 100 ° C before returning to the air conditioning.

Also remember to clean the entire air conditioning:

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth and rub the air conditioning body. Do the same for the different pipes.
• Use a sponge soaked in water to clean the air outlets.
• Clean the filters if they are clogged.
• Empty the condensate tray and clean it.

Maintain your air conditioning regularly

Cleaning operations are within your reach, but more technical maintenance should be entrusted to competent professionals such as Be Cool Refrigeration.

Once a year or twice a year depending on your type of air conditioning, it is for example necessary to check the tightness of the refrigerant circuit. The HVAC technician must ensure that there are no leaks or suspicious noises. Also, a technician can check the entire system to make sure that there is no malfunction.

We strongly recommend that you sign a maintenance contract with a professional local HVAC company, and get regular checks to prevent breakdowns, and malfunctions. In the event of an emergency, you’ll be less anxious thanks to the contract in place.

Contact us to request your maintenance quote. We are also at your disposal for any repair, replacement or air conditioning installation.

What’s Refrigeration?

Industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning operate on the same principle: a fluid, generally water or air, is cooled by evaporation of another fluid, known as the refrigerant.

The main components of a refrigerant circuit are:

• Evaporator:
• Compressor
• Condenser
• Expansion device

Refrigeration is the process involving a drop in the temperature of fluids. Specifically, it’s used for temporary storage of perishable goods, at temperature down to -60 °C.

Refrigeration is one of the most important application in the food industry, as it slows down the growth of bacteria in produce, preserves organoleptic properties and extends shelf-life

The equipment utilised in the commercial refrigeration industry includes:

• Cold rooms
• Supermarket displays
• Displays in patisseries, bar, ice cream
• Refrigerators used in industrial kitchens and distribution centres
• Refrigeration for pharmaceutical industry
• Blast Chillers
• Display freezers

The equipment will vary in design, shape and standard compliance i.e. the cooling performance required.

At Be Cool we offer a comprehensive and tailored service to fulfill your needs. We retain extensive experience and offer a wide range of equipment which we can advise on. For more information on single or multiple units please contact us!

Top 5 things to consider when buying an Air Conditioning Unit

Price

Air conditioners do vary in price depending on the specification required. A sophisticated system might cost more than a window-mounted air conditioner.

Though despite the initial investment you must consider the benefits of such systems. Air conditioning systems are accepted to have significant environmental and economic saving. Over time the system will justify itself as it will service its purpose, and consume less energy.

Size

Large air condition systems are more efficient in servicing the purpose. But we should also consider the space we need to service – at Be Cool Refrigeration we will carry out detailed computation to determine the power required, ensuring energy is not wasted.

The power of an air conditioner is dependent on many factors though it can be assumed that you’ll require around 20 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per square foot. Other factors will need to be accounted for such as number of occupants, sunlight, and any other sources of heat.

Installation Distance

The performance of an air conditioning system is dependent on the length of tubing required. The longer the duct/ piping between the indoor and outdoor condenser unit the higher inefficiency.

Thus, the installation distance is mainly dependent on the physical makeup of the building. To maximise performance, you must seek to install the unit as close as possible or increase the power to account for the efficiency loss.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety in the working environment is key to employees’ wellbeing and is a legal requirement. The temperature in the room must be controlled and the benefit of an air condition system is it can be used for both cooling and heating. You may set your room temperature and the air conditioner will automatically accommodate this. However, to ensure the system is functioning to its maximum potential, you’ll need to service it regularly.

Noise

Air conditioners can be noisier than others. Generally speaking, this is because they’re less efficient and therefore the fan must work longer to service the required temperature. However modern Inverter systems will have low ‘dbA’ and therefore are adequate for commercial and domestic use.

There is a growing concern in the level of awareness of operator F-Gas legislation. Thus, at Be Cool Refrigeration we feel it is our duty to raise awareness and ensure our customers are in-compliance with the legislation.

What is F-Gas regulation?

This regulation seeks to limit the emissions of the SF6, PFCs and HFCs. HFCs are used for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and are in many organisation including both the commercial and domestic sector.

Who is the operator?

In accordance to the EU F-Gas regulation, “Operator means the natural or legal person exercising actual power over the technical functioning of the equipment and systems covered by this Regulation”. It is therefore the legal duty of the OWNER. The owner may seek to contract a maintenance contract for regular service check and at Be Cool Refrigeration we provide a complete package tailored to our client’s needs.

The operators’ responsibilities in complying with F-Gas regulation?

All operators of systems that use refrigerants containing F gases, must comply with the obligations in the EU F gas Regulation which is applicable to the system they operate as detailed below:

Contact us for Full help and more information about our support and maintenance service.

A man has been caught on camera clinging on to an air conditioning unit after climbing out of his lover’s apartment window to hide from her husband. So after all air conditioning is great for all kinds of reasons – for heating when you are cold, for cooling when your warm and indeed for Romeo’s hiding place.

If you want advice on which system to install for your needs give us a call, but please do not ask for advice on Romeo’s unit.